The men learn new skills and volunteer at the Where Rainbows Meet training and development centre. PHOTO: provided

The Where Rainbows Meet training and development center in Vrygrond has launched a skills and volunteering program for men affected by gender-based violence (GBV).

Kyle Cupido, program manager at the center, said attention is often only given to women and few men even report cases.

“The program was launched last year. While we paid so much attention to women, we realized that not only are men coming forward to report cases, but if the majority of abusers are men, we need to target the problem and fix it. With that, we decided to establish the men’s program.

The men who participate in the program learn new skills and work on a voluntary basis.

“Discussions are about issues that all men face. Currently, we have over 30 men participating in the program, but not limited to this amount, as we educate Early Childhood Development (ECD) parents, nutrition recipients, and clients. »

Cupido added that a unique working environment is created, in conjunction with the city of Cape Town, such as some of the temporary male interns at the city.

“The city got involved earlier in the year when the Department of Social Development (DSD) division working with the men’s program heard about the work we were doing to address GBV. They approached us to place men in our organization to work for the City on a temporary basis and do internships. We educate and create a unique work environment for them.

According to Cupido, the men who work at the center are exposed to skills programs through workshops and job training. “The men work as full-time volunteers within the organization, being our extended hands, we enable them to participate in all our programs and gain wide visibility as well as gain new skills and knowledge through our interactive workshops for empowerment and vocational training.

They can also lead programs for youth and young men with the goal of becoming mentors and role models, which is sorely lacking in our communities. »

Mymoena Scholtz, founder and director of the center, said the program gives men the opportunity to make a difference in their community.

Around 30 men from Vrygrond and surrounding areas participate in a men’s program at the centre. PHOTO: provided

Men have the opportunity to make a difference in their community. PHOTO: provided

The men learn new skills and volunteer at the Where Rainbows Meet training and development centre. PHOTO: provided

“Our GBV program for men works so well. They attend a program twice a week and we can only thank our partners and the city of Cape Town for giving our men the opportunity to work within their own communities and make a difference. Together we are stronger.”